Celebrations as The Swan reopens after successful fight against supermarket plans

THE Swan pub in Halesowen is back open after nearly being bulldozed to make way for a supermarket.

Thousands of residents and businesses signed petitions to keep the Long Lane pub serving beer instead of being wiped from the map.

Regulars and staff were over the moon when the pub opened its doors earlier this month after being closed for three months.

New licensees Polly and Mark Johnson are hoping to pen a permanent deal for the pub if the next three months are successful.

Mr Johnson said: "We are delighted to be behind the bar of the Swan as it is a great pub.

"We are having people popping in and saying keep up the good work which is nice."

He added: "But to stay open we need trade to be regular so if all those 4,000 people who signed the petition to stop the supermarket came in for just one drink a week then they would never have to sign another petition to keep the pub."

Halesowen North Councillor Jeff Hill hopes the pub will thrive after heading the campaign to save it.

He said: "It sounds as though the pub company are going to try and keep it as a pub rather than selling it off for houses or a supermarket.

Share article

"I'm pleased that The Swan has been given a new lease of life and would like to wish Polly every success."

The pub is open from midday to 11pm Monday to Thursday and 11am to midnight Friday and Saturday and are also offering free pool with a pint in the early afternoons.

Ipsoregulated

This website and associated newspapers adhere to the Independent Press Standardards Organisations's Editors' Code of Practice. If you have a compaint about editorial content which relates to inaccuracy or intrusion, then please contact the editor here. If you are dissatisfied with the response provided you can contact IPSO here